Important to the reserves.
The following important order, just issued by the Adjutant-General, will be found especially interesting to all those belonging to the reserve forces. It will be seen that the whole business of enforcing the conscript law is devolved upon them. We give the general order: "Adjutant and inspector general's Office, "Richmond, Virginia, February 23, 1865.
"General Orders, No. 8.
"I General of reserves will immediately place upon active duty every man belonging to that class who is not specially detailed, or has not been turned ever to generals commanding armies, departments or districts.
They will organize them into convenient bodies, and will employ them vigorously in arresting and returning to the army all deserters and absentees.
"II.
This service will, for the present, constitute the primary duty of officers of the reserve forces, and they will enter actively upon it.
"III. Generals of reserves will visit and inspect the localities in which this force is most needed, and can be most beneficially employed, and will give their personal attention to the organization and operations of their troops in carrying out these orders.
They will report twice a month to the Adjutant and Inspector-General the number of men arrested and sent by them to the army.
"IV.
Generals commanding armies will return to the generals of reserves for this duty all the reserve forces in active service that are not indispensably necessary in the field.
"V. It is not intended that these orders shall effect the reserves employed in guarding railroad bridges. "General Orders, No. 8.
"By order.
[Signed] "S. Cooper,
"Adjutant and Inspector-General.
"Official H. L. Clay,
"Assistant Adjutant General."
[Signed] "S. Cooper,
"Adjutant and Inspector-General.
"Official H. L. Clay,
"Assistant Adjutant General."
